Matthew Roberts

Freelance Columnist at Signal Akron

Articles

Reasonable Cause And Penalties: How To Beat The IRS Post-Boyle

1 week ago | forbes.com | Matthew Roberts

There are more than 100 penalties in the Internal Revenue Code. Each penalty varies in scope, but a common defense for almost all of them is “reasonable cause.” Where this defense applies, the IRS can’t impose penalties. Generally, taxpayers prove reasonable cause by detailing facts and circumstances that show they acted with ordinary business care and prudence, notwithstanding the compliance failure.
Opposite Ends, Same Goal: Rethinking Connectivity from AT&T to MVNE.pl

3 weeks ago | amdocs.com | Matthew Roberts |Matt Roberts

Apr 24, 2025Opposite Ends, Same Goal: Rethinking Connectivity from AT&T to MVNE.plCan any brand become a mobile provider? That’s the question Matthew Roberts explores at MWC Barcelona 2025, as he sits down with two industry leaders who are reshaping traditional telecom models through Amdocs’ ConnectX—or as some might call it, “telco in a box.” First, Matt is joined by Stephanie Ormston, Head of Commercial and Product at AT&T’s MVNX Ecosystem.
Foreign Information Returns & The IRS: When Time Limits Never Expire

3 weeks ago | forbes.com | Matthew Roberts

Generally, the IRS has three years to select an income tax return for audit. But if the taxpayer never files an income tax return, the three-year statute of limitations period doesn’t start, providing the agency with unlimited time to make additional tax adjustments. Although many taxpayers are familiar with this rule, few taxpayers recognize that a similar rule applies to unfiled foreign information tax returns.
The day that changed the world

3 weeks ago | thecritic.co.uk | Matthew Roberts

Secularism has nothing to offer in comparison to Easter There are many ways in which secular atheism is demonstrating itself to be a wholly inadequate view of the world. There is its caustic effect on human relationships, as its elevation of power and grievance over love and responsibility drives people apart and destroys families and society. There is its appalling vacuum of meaning and value, which cannot be filled with self-help, sex and Amazon Prime.
Growth And Opportunities For BVI In Asia

1 month ago | mondaq.com | Michael Gagie |Matthew Roberts |Derrick Kan |Karen Zhang Pallaras

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has long been a significantplayer in the Asian market. In 2025, the BVI continues to evolve,driven by regulatory changes, new opportunities for funds, itsgrowing role as a hub for virtual assets and the continuedpopularity of the BVI Business Company (BVI BC). The MaplesGroup's Asia-based BVI team provides an overview of its placein Asia in 2025.
IRS Surprises Taxpayers With New Ruling On Theft Losses After TCJA

1 month ago | forbes.com | Matthew Roberts

Americans continue to lose money from fraud at alarming rates. According to a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report, they reported losing more than $12.5 billion from fraud in 2025 (an increase of 25% from the prior year). The actual losses are almost certainly much higher. In addition to the loss itself, Americans suffer from confusion concerning whether they may claim deductions as a result of the fraud.
IRS Issues Legal Memorandum On BBA Partnership Statute Of Limitations

1 month ago | mondaq.com | Matthew Roberts

In tax controversy and litigation matters, sometimes proceduretrumps the merits. The statute of limitations is a great example. Even if the taxpayer made a mistake on a prior year return, the IRSgenerally can't open an audit if the applicable statute oflimitations period has expired. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) hasits own statute of limitations rules associated with partnerships.
IRS Issues Legal Memorandum On BBA Partnership Statute of Limitations

2 months ago | forbes.com | Matthew Roberts

In tax controversy and litigation matters, sometimes procedure trumps the merits. The statute of limitations is a great example. Even if the taxpayer made a mistake on a prior year return, the IRS generally can’t open an audit if the applicable statute of limitations period has expired. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) has its own statute of limitations rules associated with partnerships.
The IRS Theft-Loss, Ponzi-Scheme Safe Harbor-Does It Still Apply?

2 months ago | forbes.com | Matthew Roberts

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) limited theft loss deductions, although tax professionals debate how far. I’ve commented on this issue in prior articles, including here, and therefore will not repeat those comments again. Rather, this article seeks to address questions I have received from tax professionals and taxpayers in recent weeks regarding whether taxpayers may claim theft losses post-TCJA under the “safe harbor” of Rev. Proc. 2009-20?
BBA Partnership Audit Rules: The Complexities In Filing An AAR

Feb 2, 2025 | forbes.com | Matthew Roberts

Taxpayers often use entities characterized as partnerships for federal income tax purposes to conduct their business activities. In addition to offering limited liability (e.g., limited liability companies and limited partnerships), these entities provide flexibility for their partners in structuring business arrangements. Therefore, it is not surprising that the IRS has noticed a significant uptick in partnership income tax return filings in the last decade. Congress also noticed.